Green Phantom Plecostomus (Hemiancistrus Subviridis) Species Profile & Care Guide

When Green Phantom Plecos are juveniles, they are peaceful. However, as they age, they become more aggressive and territorial towards their species, especially the males.

The Green Phantom Pleco is better kept in aquariums with medium to large fish, alongside species that swim at different areas in the tank with few if any other bottom dwellers. In huge tanks, small groups can be kept together provided their rocky territories are specified when laying out the decor.

This Pleco is not recommended for the beginner aquarist rather an advanced fishkeeper with much experience as these fish require significant weekly water changes as they are intolerant to organic waste and need pristine water conditions.

The Green Phantom Plecos body colour varies from a dark yellow to a light olive green colour with yellow spots covering most of the body from the midsection towards the head as well as their dorsal, pectoral and ventral fins The other fins display yellow highlights. Their stomachs are transparent.

Natural Habitat of the Green Phantom Plecostomus

You can only find the Green Phantom Pleco in Rio Ventauri and the Rio Orinoco in Amazonas state, Venezuela and Columbia as well as in the lower reaches of the Ventauri as far as the inward flowing Rio Guapuchi in South America.

These Plecos inhabit warm fast-moving currents and highly oxygenated waters with rocky areas in rivers in the crevices between the boulders and granite bedrock.

Other Plecostomus of interest

Diet

In the home aquarium, the Green Phantom Pleco will feed on algae and leftover foods which tend to be their primary diet. However, you will be required to supplement this with commercial aquarium foods like sinking wafers and pellets that are specially designed for bottom feeders.

These plecos also enjoy meaty foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp as well as, blanched vegetables like spinach and courgette so offer them regular feedings of these too.

Sexing the Green Phantom Plecostomus

It is somewhat straightforward to distinguish males and females. Adult males usually develop a bulkier and broader, slightly flatter head and longer pectoral fins, and they will also be hairier, with more prominent dermal teeth and be somewhat larger than females.

Breeding the Green Phantom Plecostomus

The Green Phantom Pleco is a cave spawner that has been bred in an aquarium environment. The male will lure the female into his cave, where he will keep her until the eggs are deposited and fertilised.

It is at this point the female is evacuated, and the male takes up residency at the entrance to guard the 30 to 45 eggs laid. The eggs will usually hatch within 3 to 4 days where they will stay for about ten days or so while they absorb their yolk sac. It is at this time that they will become free swimming and begin to venture out from their cave in search of food.

It would be best if you initially fed the fry with infusoria and when big enough provide them with crushed flake, bloodworms, algae wafers and blanched vegetables like squash and zucchini.

Success depends entirely on providing a well-oxygenated large tank, spotlessly clean water conditions and an excellent high protein diet.

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